‘Absolute gutter politics’: Kemi Badenoch condemned after using disgraceful language at PMQs

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has been widely condemned for the disgraceful language she used at PMQs today, calling Labour MPs ‘traitors’ and accusing them of ‘betrayal’, after Keir Starmer announced his resignation earlier this week.

Badenoch wasted no time in attacking the Labour Party after Starmer’s resignation, calling Cabinet ministers “traitors and deserters” or “loyal and incompetent”.

She also accused energy secretary Ed Miliband of “treachery” and “betrayal” for backing Andy Burnham, claiming he was “killing jobs” while chancellor Rachel Reeves was “killing economic growth”.

The Tory leader then launched an unprecedented attack on Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, calling her a “spiteful class warrior” for adding VAT to private school fees.

As Labour backbenchers shouted back at her, the Tory leader said: “It’s amazing, I’ve never seen this much excitement on the Labour benches. They’re cheering so loudly while there are 400 knives stuck in his back.”

The speaker of the Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, was among those who criticised Badenoch’s language: “Can I just say, think about the language we use, because when we leave this chamber don’t be surprised if constituents feel they can use the same language.”

“Let us show a bit more decorum and respect to each other.”

Badenoch was also criticised online, with one social media user writing: “Jo Cox was assassinated on our streets by a white supremacist terrorist radicalised by the toxic hate he heard daily.

“Today Kemi badenoch brazenly called her fellow MPs “traitors” in Parliament, forcing the Speaker to call her to order for this disgrace.

“This is reckless. This is classless. This is utterly mannerless. Utterly disgusting inflammatory garbage.”